US5052222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-unit water depth sensor system
Assignee: SIMON-HORIZON Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-11-05
•
Granted: 1991-10-01
•
Expires: 2010-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Each unit of an array of submerged oceanographic devices is provided with a depth gauge of the air bubbler type. A typical depth gauge consists of a tube or air line that has one end fluidly coupled to a manifold; the other end of the air line is open. The open end of the air line is secured adjacent a corresponding submerged device. A small flow of air is established from the manifold, through the air line, to bubble out the open end into the water. A pressure transducer is fluidly coupled to the air line and senses the backpressure due to the hydrostatic water head existing above the submerged device. Means are provided for inhibiting pneumatic cross feed in the manifold between the respective air lines.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L. Stoepfel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; G01F23/165; G01F23/168; G01C; G01C13/00; G01C13/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A multiple-unit water depth sensor system for use with a towed array that includes a plurality of oceanographic devices submersed in a body of water, comprising in combination: a pneumatically pressurized manifold; a plurality of air lines interconnected between the respective devices and said manifold, one end of each said air line being in fluid communication with said manifold, the other end of each said air line being open to the water and secured adjacent a corresponding device; each said air line including: a. means for establishing a desired flow of air between said manifold and the open end of said air line, b. means for inhibiting pneumatic crossfeed between said air lines within said manifold, c. means for measuring the pressure drop of the flow of air across said means for inhibiting; means for estimating the water density; means for combining the estimated water density with the measured pressure drop to determine the water depth existing at the open ends of each of said air lines; and means for continuously displaying the so-determined water depth existing at the open ends of each said air line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A multiple-unit water depth sensor system for use with a towed array that includes a plurality of oceanographic devices submersed in a body of water, comprising in combination: a pneumatically pressurized manifold; a plurality of air lines interconnected between the respective devices and said manifold, one end of each said air line being in fluid communication with said manifold, the other end of each said air line being open to the water and secured adjacent a corresponding device; each said air line including: a. means for establishing a desired flow of air between said manifold and the open end of said air line, b. means for inhibiting pneumatic crossfeed between said air lines within said manifold, c. means for measuring the pressure drop of the flow of air across said means for inhibiting; means for estimating the water density; means for combining the estimated water density with the measured pressure drop to determine the water depth existing at the open ends of each of said air lines; and means for continuously displaying the so-determined water depth existing at the open ends of each said air line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The water depth sensor system as defined by claim 1, wherein said submersible oceanographic devices are seismic acoustic sources, the sources being adapted to be fired at preselected intervals and including: means for protecting the pressure-drop measuring means from over-pressure damage by damping the high-frequency pressure transients that are introduced into the open ends of said air lines when said seismic acoustic sources are fired.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The water depth sensor system as defined by claim 2, comprising: means for inhibiting water invasion of said manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The water depth sensor system as defined by claim 2, comprising: means for programming pressure-drop measurements to take place during time intervals between successive firings of said seismic acoustic sources.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The water depth sensor system as defined by claim 2, wherein: said air lines constitute low pass filters in response to changes in water pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The water depth sensor system as defined by claim 2, wherein each said means for inhibiting includes a check valve, and further comprising: means for compensating for the cracking pressure of said check valve when calibrating said pressure measuring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2658389A
Cited
US3613456A
Cited
US3780581A
Cited
US3987675A
Cited
SU607112A1
Cited
JPS5373732A
Cited
US4669309A
Cited
US4388827A
Cited
US4409833A
Cited
JPS60210724A
Cited
US4625548A
Cited
US4726315A
Cited
US4908801A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-30 | 1995-04-01 | 1995-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-30 | 1999-04-01 | 1999-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-04-01 | 2003-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |